Bike finder: Which lightweight belt-drive hybrid should I buy?

Lightweight belt-drive hybrid

For: Clare Dixon, age 72, from Woking.

‘Bike’ needs: I want to use the bike for shopping and on canal paths and bridleways. I have a Gazelle e-bike, which is great for keeping up when I go out on the hills with my son, but I would like a non-electric to give me a lighter bike for everyday use.

Must have: Belt drive, Nexus 8 hub gears, step-through frame, carrier, lights, disc brakes. Be as light as possible.

Must not have: Derailleur gears, rim brakes.

Budget: up to £1,800.

Matt Lamy

I recently tested a diamond-frame version of a bike that – almost – meets your requirements. Canyon’s Commuter 5 (£999) features a smart modern frame with a Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub, Gates Carbon belt drive, superb Shimano M200 hydraulic brakes, and a very reasonable total weight of just over 11kg. It was one of the most fun hubgeared bikes I’ve ridden, and it’s available in what Canyon calls a ‘mid-step’ option.

But (there’s always a but): not only does it not come with a rear rack but Canyon’s aluminium ‘Commuter’ frame doesn’t even feature rear rack mounts. There is an answer. If you spend more to get Canyon’s Commuter 6 WMN (£1,499), it comes with an ALUMEE mudguard that has an integrated rear rack. It also comes with dynamo-powered Supernova E3 lights. Even with the extras, it weighs just under 13kg.

If you’d prefer a more traditional step-through design, though, there’s Trek’s District 2 Equipped Lowstep (£1,120). This comes with a classic low step-through aluminium frame, a more upright riding position, a rear rack, integrated lock, suspension fork, dynamo lights and kickstand. However, there are roller brakes rather than discs, the rear hub is only a 7-speed Nexus, and it’s driven by a chain rather than a belt. It also hits the scales at a fairly hefty 18.8kg.

Canyon Commuter 6 WMN £1,499

Dan Joyce

My first thought was Cube, another German bike company with belt-drive hybrids in its range. The Cube Travel EXC (£1,499, cube.eu) is available with a ‘trapeze’ frame that's just like the ‘mid-step' of the Canyon Commuter 6 WMN that Matt recommends. It's the same price and is equipped with a Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub, a Gates belt drive, hydraulic disc brakes, rack, mudguards, kickstand, and hub dynamo lighting. It’s over a kilo heavier, at 14.2kg. That will nevertheless feel light compared to your Gazelle e-bike.

The trapeze-frame version of Cube’s Hyde Race (£1,199) is another option. While it weighs only 11.5kg, once you’ve added a rear rack, mudguards, and battery lights, it’ll be at least as heavy as the Canyon Commuter 6 WMN – probably heavier.

Then there’s the ARCC Bespoke Rosemont (from £1,300, arccbikes.com), which is made in Britain. Compared to the Canyons and Cubes it has a lower step-through frame and a more upright riding position, with a backswept handlebar that will put less weight on your hands.

It is more expensive: £1,694.99 with an Alfine 8-speed hub, SKS mudguards, and a rear pannier rack – plus a delivery charge of £60-100 unless you pick it up from Cambridge in person. You can choose the colour, however. You’ll need to add lights. I’d suggest a Busch+Muller Eyro 30 Lux front light (£60) and a Busch+Müller Toplight Flat S (£31) as they bolt in place. I’d expect it to weigh around 14kg with this specification. 

Arcc Bespoke Rosemont £1785.99 (suggested spec)

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